Steff37

Latest posts by Steff37

We have sun! Woot! Hubby got the grass cut (avoiding the bluebells), and I tidied up the "flower bed".

My tomatoes are about an inch high... not too impressive, as are my cucumbers. My strawberries are flowering, and my potatoes are looking bushy and lush. Haven't got a clue if that means anything good is happening underground though! lol

I think my first crop is going to be radishes and babyleaf salad in a few days. Yum!

It finally stopped raining at about 3pm here. My garden is completely sodden, I've been bringing waterlogged pots into the greenhouse out of the rain. The jackdaws and sparrows have been stealing the basket liners for their nests, but the jackdaws have only been taking it as far as our chimney... cheeky gets! I did see Mr and Mrs bullfinch stripping the seeds from the dandelion heads this morning.

I work for Wickes and have had a lot of complaints about this year's compost. Last year's stock (the 75 litre bags) was good - in my novice opinion, and from customers feedback. This year's stuff (70 litre) is rubbish. We have had to put notices up warning that it is no good for seeding, but we are still seeing a lot of returns.

Take your receipt back, along with any receipts for seeds that you have lost due to the new formulation and ask if they will refund you. I'm not sure what the company-wide policy is, but we have been doing that at our store. It might be worth a try.

I should have earthed up my potatoes today, but I just couldn't be bothered (shame on me!), and I know I'm going to regret it because it is forecast to rain tomorrow. It has been dry here today, but the 3 loads of washing I had out didn't dry.

Question: Does the pot you use make a difference to your crop? I planted some radishes in a little terracotta pot at the end of Feb. I planted a second crop a couple of weeks ago in a plastic pot of similar size, and they are doing better! Huh? I'm a total noobie, and blonde, so apologies if I seem ignorant!

My garden is south facing and about 6 x 18m in SW Wales. There is a small patio area at the top, then two more levels as the ground falls away. I have a small greenhouse and a small shed (hubby's), and most of the garden is taken up with lawn and a swing and trampoline.

This year I have decided to try some veg. I have started tomatoes, various lettuce, cucumber in the greenhouse and my cauliflower broad beens and carrots come in everynight for the time being. The peas look strong enough to stay out all night and my potatoes are in bags. My caulis and cabbages all failed after I transplanted them into bigger pots, so I planted more... fingers crossed!

I seem to have forgotten about the pretty stuff, so it is off to the garden centre for flowers for hanging baskets tomorrow

I am trying to grow as much as possible in pots or containers because I have no room for a veg patch. I will gratefully accept any tips or advice!